Starlink

On March 28, the FCC authorized SpaceX’s first-generation constellation of 4,425 Ku- and Ka-band satellites.⁠[3]

On May 23 local US time, a Falcon 9 launched the Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral, placing 60 satellites in orbit. The US Air Force documented the internet-connectivity mission in its launch photograph and caption.⁠[4]

Starlink began providing service in 2020, moving from satellite deployment into ongoing customer operations.⁠[5]

SpaceX and T-MobileT-MobileT-Mobile (T-Mobile US, Inc.) is one of the major U.S. wireless carriers, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, and Overland Park, Kansas, and controlled by Deutsche Telekom. Its predecessor was VoiceStream Wireless, founded in 1994; it listed on Nasdaq after combining with MetroPCS in 2013 and merged with Sprint in 2020.Open the full entry announced Coverage Above and Beyond, proposing to connect ordinary phones through the carrier’s mid-band spectrum in terrestrial coverage gaps. Messaging was the initial goal, followed by voice and data. This was a partnership plan, rather than an already operational nationwide service.⁠[6]

The FCC authorized 7,500 Gen2 satellites, deferred the remaining application and imposed space-safety, interference-protection and astronomy-coordination conditions.⁠[3]

United Airlines signed an agreement with SpaceX to install Starlink across more than 1,000 mainline and regional aircraft, offering free gate-to-gate connectivity. Testing and passenger use were expected in 2025; the contracted fleet size was not an installed-aircraft count.⁠[2]

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory described ODS, which shares observing frequency, time and pointing with satellite operators. Starlink can avoid service zones near the Very Large Array, redirect beams or temporarily quiet relevant transmitting components. The observatory was still validating the approach with scientific observations.⁠[7]

Starlink reported US peak-hour median downloads near 200 Mbps, median latency of 25.7 milliseconds and more than six million active customers worldwide. These were company statistics for that period, rather than fixed performance for every location, plan or customer.⁠[8]

T-Mobile launched T-Satellite, using more than 650 satellites for phone connectivity beyond terrestrial coverage and making it available to non-T-Mobile customers. The company reported nearly two million beta participants and messaging and emergency-alert use during wildfires and floods.⁠[9]

Starlink introduced paid Standby Mode in applicable markets, retaining low-speed data while high-speed service is paused. It does not reserve Residential capacity; reactivation depends on local capacity and applicable charges, with country, hardware and plan exceptions.⁠[10]

Progress 2025 reported more than nine million customers, over 155 countries and markets, and over 9,000 active satellites, with over 4.6 million new active customers during the year. These figures reflect the 2025 report.⁠[5]

SpaceX introduced Stargaze, planning free conjunction-screening data for other satellite operators to improve coordination in low Earth orbit.⁠[11]

Starlink added optional passkeys using device biometrics, a PIN or a hardware security key. Password access remains available. The company says biometric data stays on the device; accounts requiring single sign-on are excluded.⁠[12]

SpaceX said its Starlink fleet exceeded 11,000 low-orbit satellites and that the first 26 V3 satellites were deployed in late September. It also called for better sharing of orbital and maneuver information.⁠[11]

SpaceX announced an agreement for up to 14 MHz of paired 800 MHz spectrum, intended for Starlink Mobile’s combined satellite and terrestrial network, subject to final FCC approval. Separately, it said 15,000 second-generation mobile satellites had been authorized; authorization does not establish deployment.⁠[13]

United disclosed Starlink installations on more than 640 aircraft, availability on roughly half its flights and free access for MileagePlus members. Full-fleet coverage remained a target for the end of 2027.⁠[14]

United CEO Scott Kirby told an earnings call that some travelers loyal to other airlines chose United for Starlink, then stayed for its service, cabins and app. He described a temporary lead; these were management’s assessments of customer behavior.⁠[15]

PCMag reported that Verizon CEO Dan Schulman estimated a four-to-six-year US mobile buildout for SpaceX, while Elon MuskElon MuskElon Musk is an entrepreneur who founded SpaceX and has long served as chief executive of Tesla; he also took part in creating PayPal, OpenAI, Neuralink, The Boring Company, and xAI. He acquired Twitter in 2022, and his businesses span spaceflight, electric vehicles, energy, artificial intelligence, and social media.Open the full entry responded with two to three years. These were competing forecasts, not evidence of a completed nationwide commercial network.⁠[16]

Starlink V5 is a lighter, lower-power home terminal than V4 and remains available in selected areas. It is not intended for in-motion use, and listed peak speeds are not guaranteed service performance.⁠[17]

Starlink Mini is sold through the official website and selected authorized retailers. In most countries it supports Roam and Priority plans, while Residential plans are limited to selected regions. Hardware availability and plan eligibility are separate considerations.⁠[18]